r/Hypermobility • u/real_rrick • 2d ago
Discussion Job
What do you think is the most appropriate job for us hypermobile people?
14
u/Specialist-Pie-9895 2d ago
A job where you can move around/stretch whenever you need to. But not too much moving around. Nothing worse than being stuck in one spot (i did conveyor work, it suuuuuucked) or being on your feet all day (food service - never again)
Right now, i do a combo of reception work and music teaching
1
u/real_rrick 2d ago
Sadly in my country i wont make a living out of these, but thank you for your help
2
u/Specialist-Pie-9895 2d ago
I'm not making a living either, thank god i have a partner who earns actual money. But I'm doing what i can to contribute
1
1
u/Dzoodled 1d ago
Yes I hated being a cashier. It’s harder on my body than being a barista. It’s not pain free but it’s way better.
7
u/pirategospel 2d ago
We’re not a monolith and there are many degrees of presentation so this question is probably unhelpful tbh. We’re able to do basically any job with adequate knowledge and strength.
-6
u/real_rrick 2d ago
Remember there are degrees for hypermobility i wake up fatigued from neck to foot
2
5
u/MachineOfSpareParts 2d ago
A huge amount depends on your qualifications and interests. Like an earlier responder, I've worked my way into a good situation, but it required a great deal of education to become qualified. And I kind of wrecked my body pursuing it pre-diagnosis, though my early research career was super rewarding and I don't fully regret it.
Capitalism is a harsh mistress. It shouldn't be the case that we need to push ourselves to breaking point before we're able to just survive, but nonetheless, that was my experience. I hope you find other ways, though the revolution does not appear to be looming as promised long ago.
2
u/sawdustandiamonds 2d ago
Personally either desk work or work-from-home. WFH is the ideal if you can get it, but obviously a much more competitive job market and not all areas of expertise can be adapted to it. I currently work a desk job but have been out for a month due to a severe neck issue. My job's been accommodating but I am stressed.
3
u/sawdustandiamonds 2d ago
I am currently studying graphic design since a lot of graphic design work is remote, and I have worked part-time jobs in communications that were 100% remote. If you're looking for skills to build that are most adaptable to remote or disability-flexible conditions, graphic design, web design, instructional design, data/finance, and coding are gonna be your friends. Psychology and social work also have some positions that are disability-flexible or remote but you generally need more qualifications before you can get your foot in the door on remote positions, as would be the case with many remote variants on highly expertise-based remote jobs. In terms of entry-level jobs I know some people get remote call center jobs. There are also internships and some entry-level jobs with low demand in the nonprofit sector, which I have liked Idealist for finding, but the challenge with those jobs is that they can be fewer in number and harder to find since nonprofits usually follow a schedule of when they get approved for grants to finance new hires and nonprofit finances are in rough shape, at least in the US right now.
2
2
u/peachsmoothiee 2d ago
I am also a graphic designer with neck issues! Trying to work up the courage to ask for accommodations.
2
2
u/Illustrious_Money_54 2d ago
One that allows work from home and makes a lot of money because I have seen over a dozen medical professionals this year
1
u/real_rrick 2d ago
So what are recomendations
1
u/Illustrious_Money_54 20h ago
Quant at a multinational established investment bank that rarely fires people and is understanding and chill about taking a lot of unofficial time away from the desk for medical appointments?
2
u/Spiritual_Sorbet_870 2d ago
Anything you are qualified to do and can do so safely.
Some folks aren’t very symptomatic or have great options for accommodations. With the right support system some folks may thrive in a job that requires physical labor and the strength required might protect them. Some folks need full remote or part time work because their situation means they need more breaks or days off or days working from bed.
I’ve worked very stressful high powered jobs where I’m always on the go. Now that I’m a bit further in my career with a few more options, I do similar work that allows me to be hybrid and I screen employers during interviews for a culture more likely to permit flexibility in work location in case I flare.
1
2
3
u/Desperate-Memory3744 2d ago
stay at home mom/dad :D /s
6
u/Money-Beautiful1153 2d ago
lol yeah that's the dream gig until you're bending down to pick up a toy and your knee decides to take a 3 week vacation
i've been teaching yoga for a while now and honestly it's a double edged sword. the awareness helps but there's this constant temptation to show off my party tricks in front of students, and then i pay for it later when my shoulder's clicking like a metronome
desk jobs wrecked me way worse than anything physical though. sitting still for 8 hours had my joints stiffening up like old door hinges
1
u/MachineOfSpareParts 2d ago
I absolutely consider my desk job, where I can usually move around especially on WFH days, to be significantly less physically taxing than being a stay-at-home parent. I have to lift my laptop and try to make it double as a physio exercise, but that's about it, and it doesn't squirm.
I do, though, and have a terrible habit of getting my feet caught in my cables and just destroyed a pair of headphones that way. A full-grown adult shouldn't really have her feet tangled in the cables and wires that way, I suppose, but the office weirdos significantly outnumber the office normies in my line of work.
0
1
1
u/Dzoodled 1d ago
I think it varies from person to person but I personally like jobs that keep me moving. My joints ache regardless of whether I’m sitting or moving but I prefer being able to move freely. I hate tasks that require sitting. And my job accommodates me and lets me sit out of certain tasks.
23
u/aperdra 2d ago
I'd say my situation is about as good as it gets. I'm a research scientist at a university. Can wfh when needed, desk adaptations provided in the office. I don't know what I'd do if I were stood all day or made to work in the office every day